“We all spent our degree crying, laughing, stressing, screaming and changing...”

FROM THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH SHEMEKKA C PROUD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM TAYLOR

Between the 8th and the 12th of July, over 9,000 academic students were awarded their degrees across 12 graduation ceremonies.

Families from across the world came to visit Middlesex’s Hendon campus to support someone who had studied at Middlesex. They were found gathered around the campus (including at the new MDX Pavilion) for memorable photos after their ceremonies.

Graduation is the pinnacle of a student’s journey at Middlesex. But it is also an opportunity for the university to celebrate and reward the successes of its’ alumni, particularly those individuals who have reached the top of their profession or made a significant impact to society. During graduation week, the University honoured individuals who have excelled in their fields, including: Maggie Appleton, the CEO of the Royal Air Force Museum; Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann, OBE Chief Executive of WorldSkills UK; and Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, President of the International Criminal Court. The event this year was particularly successful for the Alumni Communications and Engagement team who signed-up over 2,000 graduates to the Alumni Association, ensuring that students are still part of Middlesex University after they graduate.

With 27,054 macaroons eaten and 18,036 glasses of Prosecco served, graduation 2019 was defiantly a merry one! Being the culmination of all the hard work throughout each individual course, extra-curricular activities and everything in between, graduation was brought to a close with a sigh of relief. Students found themselves overwhelmed by having finished their courses and, with tears of nostalgia, started remembering the first time they stepped foot on campus.

Shemekka C Proud, recent graduate, described the day as having an “atmosphere of achievement and celebration” and described the ceremony as being “the fulfilment, the goal, the aim.” “I have never felt the way I felt at graduation at university before,” she continued. “It always feels like a lonely struggle when studying, but the smiles and the outfits, the glamour squads and the proud family members, make you realise we won over the struggle. Alone, but ultimately together.”

Every student studies as individuals, but at graduation, the student body celebrates as a whole. With a total of 21 different gowns worn, including the honorary graduate, the incredible diverse range of subjects that MDX offers are brought together to celebrate as a community.

Middlesex university was a buzz with excitement, praise and overwhelming emotions. Many students were found to be live streaming the celebrations after the ceremony on Facebook and Instagram and creating boomerangs by throwing their caps in the air. Many student posed in their gowns and held the ‘A Middlesex grad looks like this’ photo board, showing social media what they have accomplished.